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In Namibia, Africa, you'll find the Tropic of Capricorn marker, located between Sossusvlei and Walvis Bay. Two vibrant signs stand on either side of the road, indicating the exact spot where the Tropic of Capricorn crosses. paranyu pithayarungsarit/Getty ImagesIn 1939, author Henry Miller stirred controversy with his semi-autobiographical novel. The book, titled "Tropic of Capricorn," was banned in the United States until 1961 due to its explicit sexual content. The story follows the protagonist's journey, including a job at the "Cosmodemonic Telegraph Company of North America"—which you can probably guess influenced the book's title. But the term "Tropic of Capricorn" reaches beyond literature and into the stars.
What exactly is the Tropic of Capricorn?
Also referred to as the Southern Tropic, the Tropic of Capricorn is one of five key circles of latitude that appear on maps and globes. These latitudes are imaginary east-west lines that help pinpoint locations on Earth when combined with lines of longitude, which are imaginary circles that intersect the North and South poles and the equator.
Lines of Latitude in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres
The Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer were defined because they mark areas within the hemispheres where the sun can be directly overhead. For early travelers who navigated by the stars, these lines were vital markers. This is why the Tropic of Capricorn holds such significance.
The five primary lines of latitude define key locations on Earth:
- The equator, the most recognized circle of latitude, sits at zero degrees latitude. It stretches around the planet for roughly 25,000 miles (40,233 kilometers), splitting the world into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Other circles' latitudes are determined by their distance from the equator.
- The Arctic Circle lies at about 66.5 degrees north latitude, or 66.5 degrees north of the equator.
- The Antarctic Circle is located around 66.5 degrees south latitude, or 66.5 degrees south of the equator.
- The Tropic of Cancer is positioned at approximately 2 degrees north latitude, or 2 degrees north of the equator.
This world map displays the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, as well as the equator. It does not show the other two primary lines of latitude: The Arctic Circle encircles the north latitude, while the Antarctic Circle marks the southern latitude.
Jennifer Thermes/Getty ImagesNow, let’s focus on the Tropic of Capricorn. Situated at about 2 degrees south latitude, or 2 degrees below the equator, this circle represents the southernmost point on Earth where the sun is directly overhead at noon. To be more precise, this occurs on December 21, the first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Winter Solstice (December Solstice)
Why the reference to astrology? These latitude lines were named nearly 2,000 years ago. When the Tropic of Capricorn was given its name, the sun was positioned in the Capricorn constellation during the December solstice (though now, the sun no longer aligns with that constellation at that time). The term "tropics" is also crucial because these are the only places on Earth where the sun can actually be directly overhead.
The Tropic of Capricorn passes through these countries: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, French Polynesia, Australia, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
